Page 63 of A Highland Bride Disciplined

Need space.

Scarlett’s tone turned teasing. “Aye, quiet by way of cuddling. I’d wager she liked it.”

He grunted, not about to give her the satisfaction of a reply.

“Ye’ve a softer touch than I thought,” she went on, relentless. “Might suit ye to hold her more often.”

I’ll show ye soft touch, lass, daenae push me.

The humor was thick in her voice as she continued teasing. “I was just merely pointing out what I saw, Kian… and heard.”

They reached the study door, and he pushed it open, stepping inside. Of course, she followed. He turned, meaning to send her on her way, but she was still smiling at him.

“I dinnae wish to wake ye,” he said finally, the words slipping out before he could decide whether they sounded foolish. “I came up to bring ye food because ye have an impeccable way of taking care of everyone else buy yerself, and ye ken how I feel about that. Saw the bairn nearly smashed, and was forced to save her from suffocatin’ under ye. Then she wouldnae go back to sleep.”

That smile of hers shifted. Something in her eyes flickered.

Is she surprised? Good.

He stepped toward her, closing the distance until the air between them seemed suddenly thin.

Her pulse fluttered quickly at her neck.

Kian noticed.

And God help him, he liked it.

“Ye’re quick to tease,” he murmured, “but slow to thank.”

“For what?” she asked, lifting her chin, but her voice didn’t have its usual bite.

“For helping ye. Takin’ care of ye.Anythin’ ever,” he said simply, holding her gaze.

“That’s hardly —”

“Oh, but itis,” he interrupted, his tone deliberate, steady. “I helped keep ye alive, and ye’ve been ungrateful about it.”

Scarlett gave a little scoff, though it came out weaker than she likely intended. “Ungrateful? I’ve been —”

“Ungrateful,” he repeated, his mouth twitching with the hint of a smirk he kept tightly reined in. “Ye should be thanking me.”

She rolled her eyes, but there was a faint flush creeping up her neck. “I’ve nay intention —”

“Say it,” he pressed, letting the tease into his voice while keeping his expression deadly serious. “Thank me.”

Scarlett’s lips parted, but no words came. Her eyes darted to his mouth and back. He wondered if she even realized she’d done it.

Her fluster was… interesting. She’d fought him tooth and nail over every word, every decision since he’d returned, but here he could see the fissures forming.

She stepped back half a pace, but he followed, not letting the space widen.

Kian dropped his voice lower. “It’s nae hard, lass. Two words. Then ye can go back to mocking me.”

Scarlett narrowed her eyes, trying for defiance, but the corner of her mouth betrayed her, twitching upward just enough to make his blood run hotter.

“Why would I thank ye?” she asked, but softer now, the edge blunted.

He leaned in just slightly, watching her pupils widen. “Because I’ve been feedin’ ye when ye cannae be bothered to feed yerself, and I kept the bairn from wakin’ the whole keep.”